Business starts booming, his love interest (Audrey, the plant's name sake) notices him, and even his boss begins to respect him. What could go wrong?

Nothing, except Audrey II's growing appetite for human flesh.

Despite this macabre theme, Hendersonville Little Theatre's production of “A Little Shop of Horrors” makes a delightful evening for the whole family. It never ceases to amaze me how well this musical works, being a hybrid of a dark comedy, musical theater, science fiction, and a B-rated movie.

This show is addicting, bouncing from doo-wop numbers to pop-rock and back to early Motown. The quirky characters are loveable, even if the storyline is unbelievable. They will have you humming “You'll never stop the terror, Bop-sh'bop!” all the way home.

The Little Theatre production as a whole was outstanding: a strong cast, supported by superb directing (both musically and theatrically), an excellent set, and of course an incredible puppet. But my hat goes off to the two leads -- Seymour, played by Andy Thompson, and his lady love Audrey, portrayed by Candice Owen.

Thompson embodies the meek, awkward shop boy who dreams of more than his lot in life.

Owen does an excellent job of playing the bombshell who struggles with self-esteem and courage. She finds herself stuck in skid row and dating the wrong kind of men.

Tate Albert plays Orin, Audrey's current wrong man, who happens to be a “semi-sadist.” Albert is smooth, confident and the kind of bad guy you love to hate. The actor also does an excellent job of playing various journalists and fame seekers.

Bob Reece's comedic timing as Seymour's opportunistic boss, Mushnik, is delightful. Being the only father figure in Seymour's life, he legally adopts Seymour in what can only be described as a courting waltz.

Audrey II's voice is rich and booming. Sam Teague's smooth baritone makes me almost understand how Seymour could be seduced into feeding him.

Director Heather Denton used the supporting cast to their full extent as not just the traditional shoo-bop girls, but also the Greek chorus that they emulate.

It was ambitious of Hendersonville Little Theatre to take on such a large production, but the cast and crew stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park.

<p>Seymour Krelborn is a shy, down-on-his-luck guy working in a flower shop on skid row, but his fortune seems to change when he finds a very strange and interesting plant named Audrey II.</p><p>Business starts booming, his love interest (Audrey, the plant's name sake) notices him, and even his boss begins to respect him. What could go wrong? </p><p>Nothing, except Audrey II's growing appetite for human flesh.</p><p>Despite this macabre theme, Hendersonville Little Theatre's production of “A Little Shop of Horrors” makes a delightful evening for the whole family. It never ceases to amaze me how well this musical works, being a hybrid of a dark comedy, musical theater, science fiction, and a B-rated movie. </p><p>This show is addicting, bouncing from doo-wop numbers to pop-rock and back to early Motown. The quirky characters are loveable, even if the storyline is unbelievable. They will have you humming “You'll never stop the terror, Bop-sh'bop!” all the way home.</p><p>The Little Theatre production as a whole was outstanding: a strong cast, supported by superb directing (both musically and theatrically), an excellent set, and of course an incredible puppet. But my hat goes off to the two leads -- Seymour, played by Andy Thompson, and his lady love Audrey, portrayed by Candice Owen. </p><p>Thompson embodies the meek, awkward shop boy who dreams of more than his lot in life. </p><p>Owen does an excellent job of playing the bombshell who struggles with self-esteem and courage. She finds herself stuck in skid row and dating the wrong kind of men.</p><p>Tate Albert plays Orin, Audrey's current wrong man, who happens to be a “semi-sadist.” Albert is smooth, confident and the kind of bad guy you love to hate. The actor also does an excellent job of playing various journalists and fame seekers.</p><p>Bob Reece's comedic timing as Seymour's opportunistic boss, Mushnik, is delightful. Being the only father figure in Seymour's life, he legally adopts Seymour in what can only be described as a courting waltz. </p><p>Audrey II's voice is rich and booming. Sam Teague's smooth baritone makes me almost understand how Seymour could be seduced into feeding him. </p><p>Director Heather Denton used the supporting cast to their full extent as not just the traditional shoo-bop girls, but also the Greek chorus that they emulate. </p><p>It was ambitious of Hendersonville Little Theatre to take on such a large production, but the cast and crew stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park.</p>